Thomas Dunning

Thomas Dunning is a passionate mental health activist, fueled to break the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Having suffered with mental health himself, diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and PTSD, Dunning is making it his mission to ensure that no one struggling with their mental health feels alone. As a mental health speaker, Dunning brings an authentic and passionate viewpoint to the topic and pushes the message of 'healthy body, healthy mind'.

Having struggled with mental illness (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety disorder and Borderline personality disorder to be specific) Dunning unfortunately has attempted to take his own life countless times which he states "The fact I’m here sharing my truth, is beyond the luck needed to win the lottery".

In a bid to help his recovery, Dunning founded Mental Health Runner, using his passion for running to help both himself and others find a form of escapism. In partnership With Mental Health Runner, Dunning has also become a popular keynote event Speaker delivering speeches to top clients to help change how mental health and Illness are perceived. In his darkest days, Dunning felt as though he was alone and the only one suffering from mental illness. So, Dunning now works to help people have access to the right support that they need to overcome their struggles and to support, Motivate and inspire people to keep on going.

While still being a mechanical engineer in his day job; Dunning is also the founder of he First Steps Forward Program, helping individuals who have been diagnosed with mental health issues to put on their trainers and find their own happiness in running. Dunning has also forged a reputation as a popular and award-winning mental health blogger. He has previously been the winner of Safety and Health Practitioner Trailblazer of the year, North Kesteven District Council contribution to health and wellbeing Award and Lincolnite’s 30 under 30 inspirational award to name a few, and has also authored the book "Surviving the War Against Yourself".

Dunning has also claimed the Active Lincolnshire Active Change Award, started Run Talk Run Lincolnshire and had been appointed as the Service User Governor for Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Dunning is also a member of the Brooks Run Happy Team and a qualified Leader in Running Fitness with Athletics England. Now a popular international event and keynote speaker, Dunning has been hired by countless businesses and organizations to deliver authentic and insightful speeches about mental health. Dunning has previously performed a TEDx talk, titled The Fight For Survival in the War Against Yourself. He has also been hired as a speaker for Workplaces, Colleges-Universities and schools – High end clients include Associated British Foods Plc, Rolls Royce, BULK, Lloyds Banking Group, Lincoln College and Boston College to name but a few.

Dunning is also sought as a mental health consultant, delivering speeches and workshops to school and college students to encourage meaningful talks around an important subject. Also a media volunteer for Mind, Rethink and NAMI Bucks County, Dunning is the perfect choice as a speaker to bring awareness to mental health issues and stamp out the stigma surrounding them.